WILKES-BARRE - The Wilkes University women's volleyball team is set to begin the 2025 season, hosting a tri-match at the Marts Center this Saturday.

Joseph Czopek begins his 14th season as the head coach of the Colonels women's volleyball program in 2025. Last season, the team went 5-21 overall and 1-8 in Landmark Conference play, missing the conference tournament.

With the new season just days away, Czopek discussed the excitement surrounding the team.

"It's unusual because we bring in more new players than we have returning. The seven upperclassmen have really stepped into the role of leading this team. The enthusiasm is there. The excitement is there, and they've brought a very strong, positive culture to the program."

Some of those notable returners include Kendra Kalp (Somerset, PA/Rockwood), Ally Sheridan (Hanover Township, PA/Hanover Area), Ava Wahlers (Coudersport, PA/Coudersport), and Alexa Cassel (Mount Joy, PA/Lower Dauphin). In 2024, Kalp led the team in digs (291) and was third on the team in kills (143). Sheridan was fourth in both kills (127) and digs (139). Wahlers finished third in blocks (38) and fifth in kills (110). Lastly, Cassel led the team in assists (684) and service aces (53) last season by a wide margin, finished second in digs (250), and fourth in blocks (33).

The Colonels also welcome 10 new players, eight first-years and two transfers, to the roster. Czopek talked about the experience they bring to the team, highlighting a few notable names.

"The incoming girls bring a lot of club experience, most of them on a national basis. We have Mia Leon (Ponce, PR/Caribbean) from Ponce, Puerto Rico, who played on one of the best club teams on the island. Abby Dornblaser (Gilbertsville, PA/Boyertown) and Allyson Gates (Margate, FL/Coral Springs Charter) come from two top clubs, and their national experience led to them getting right into a rhythm with our team."

The remaining first-years on the roster are outside hitters Diana Fuentes (Allentown, PA/Lehigh Valley Academy) and Makiya Vanderburg (Plains, PA/Wilkes Barre Area), defensive specialist Charlize Leukus (York haven, PA/Red Land), and middle hitters Mackenzie Adams (Lake Ariel, PA/Western Wayne) and Emilee Atherholt (Coudersport, PA/Coudersport). Rounding out the new players are transfers Ella Fleschut (Dallas, PA/Dallas) and Maddy Durfee (Buffalo, NY/Attica).

The 2025 season begins for the Colonels this Saturday with a tri-match at the Marts Center, starting at 10 a.m. against Rutgers-Newark. Their second match of the day is at 2 p.m. against St. Joseph's Brooklyn.

Czopek went into detail about the upcoming matchups. 

"It's a great weekend for us. We've played Rutgers-Newark three times, twice under my helm. We beat them both times in 2017 and 2022, but we don't take anybody lightly. The afternoon match is St. Joseph's Brooklyn, who we've never played. We'll be watching the middle match between the two visiting teams to prepare for our match before we take the court with them."